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Of Gods and Men Reviews

This film reminds me so much of the Trappist Abbey in central Kentucky, with key difference being the fact that the monastery in this true story was located in a conflict-ridden Algeria in the 1990s. The peace that the monks in the story portrayed is just very heartwarming to watch.

Realistic movie about French monks who were faced with mortal difficulties during their service in North Africa. And these difficulties brought to the surface their true beliefs and feeling towards their mission and faith in God.

It's the story of nice Christians who come to help the wicked Muslims assisted who then kills them for their trouble. No explanation of the reasons for their execution. No presentation from the point of view of the "terrorist". No connections are shown with colonization or the crusades. One of the few times an Algerian speaks in this movie it's to say "we do not understand", like, to show Algerians are dumbasses. Evidently, in the racist America, everyone calls it a work of genius.

A wonderful and heartbreaking film that moved me to tears with a story (based on real events) that takes the necessary time with a deliberate pace to introduce us to each of the characters and their lives together, and make us truly care about them and their tense situation.

Of Gods and Men is not for everyone. It is thought-provoking, revealing, and merciless in its portrayal of the struggles of 1990Ô▓s Algeria in the midst of its civil war. It follows the life of eight monks in a catholic monastery. There are a number of conflicts between the members and muslim-terrorists who want the doctor to heal his men from battle wounds. These conflicts become more aggressive as time goes on. They eventually decide to kidnap all the members, save two who cleverly hide themselves.

The making of the film largely emphasizes the type of life these men choose to lead. They have virtually n0 contact with the outside world, and do almost nothing every day except pray and sing. The way they live is eye-opening to say the least. They are completely isolated, except for the visits they receive from the Muslim terrorists. The main monk holds several meetings to decide if they should leave or stay and tolerate the continued treatment. Each one struggles with the choice, wondering if their mission where they currently are is worth becoming martyrs for. Some almost leave, but they all choose to stay by the end.

The film makes the viewer really experience the sheer loneliness and mindset of the monks. There is no background music and virtually no additional lighting. The dialogue is infrequent, mainly focusing on their quiet reflections. It feels very much like a documentary with the lack of conventional filmmaking techniques and infrequent use of dialogue, but the individual performances of each monk will make you care about each one, and make you feel all the more saddened at their untimely fate.

"Of Gods and Men" is a compelling film, based on actual events, about eight monks at a monastery in the mountains of Algeria in the 1990's. One day they find themselves caught in a civil war between Islamic fundaments and the army. They are forced to decide whether they will stay or if they will leave the village. One of my favourite moments in the film was when one of the monks began to doubt himself and how useful he is to the community. One of the villagers responded "we're the birds, and you are the branch". They find themselves constantly asking the question "should we leave" and Christian is the one who fights for them to refuse the help of the corrupt and violent army while staying and helping the people in the village. Too many movies tend to show these characters as someone with perfect morals when the reality of this situation if that anyone would doubt themselves. I believe that showing them doubting themselves only makes them more human. Xavier Beauvois did an excellent job at portraying this people and showing that they are only human. Throughout the movie they are constantly reminded that it would not be cowardly to leave and are always encouraged to leave. The decision splits them however they are reminded that leaving would be the same as dying and that they should not fear death if they are free men. When one of the monks first finds about the death of an imam there is a very powerful scene in which they use low key lighting to illustrate the mood. The monks are all praying in their monastery and there is no music or dialog between the characters. It was just silence in this scene and it fit the movie very well to display what they are going through and the effect it is having on them. I found that low key lighting was often used to create an chiaroscuro effect. They tend to use this effect to illustrate that the monks are the light in the darkness and how they are a symbol of hope for the village. I felt Xavier did a great job at showing the daily life of these monks. There was not really any music in this movie. There were only the chants of these monks and I believe that is very difficult to do well. However, it was done extremely well and the movie did not need any music to set the mood of a scene as it was displayed excellently. The only scene that contained music was the "last supper" scene and it was the most compelling scene in the movie for me. They all sat down for their last meal and knowing what would happen to them they enjoyed their last day. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing it.

"Of Gods and Men" is a serious movie that requires focused attention, like reading a Geek tragedy. To try to watch it in haste will be trashing it. Unlike many movies made for mass consumption, it tells of dilemmas of people who are devoted to their work because they need fulfillment beyond being alive day to day. The Trappist monks summoned unusual courage to stay in harm's way. They were on their way to martyrdom out of devotion to God, conscience and the community they had come to serve. I couldn't resist asking myself if I would flee in face of near-certain annihilation. My mundane self says "flee" loudly. But I really can't tell what I would do if I had placed my soul and life to be such a man of cloth. People who devote themselves to idealism can surprise themselves. Thank God they make movies that make us think. By the way, Christophe's praying scene is beautiful beyond words.

Although sparse in places this complimented the message of peace from the monks. I enjoyed the chanting and it's relevance to the storyline, but ultimately I thought the screenplay was just too thin to sustain 2 hours. 1001

A group of Trappist monks must decide to flee or remain when a nearby village is threatened by Muslim extremists.As slow burns go, Of Gods and Men is one of the most compelling. Tightly scripted and slowly but tensely paced, as this story unfolds, the film's themes emerge subtly: the film portrays the austerity of faith and how faith leads to a sense of security and conviction. While I'm not personally committed to these theses, the film's portrayal is richly textured and compelling. By the end of the film, we get to know these monks about as well as we get to know anyone in an understated French film, and it's hard not to admire them.Overall, this is profound and compelling story well-told.

Its a slow brew, but well worth a watch. Monks in Algeria faced with the decisions of leaving their Islamic flock & people desperately needing help, or risk their lives by staying for fear of being killed by the Islamic terrorists. Superb acting from Michael Longsdale, who has never seem so aged and yet wise for the role he plays. Based on a true story.

A quite extraordinary film about sever Trappist monks based in a poor Algerian village where they have had a presence for many years. As violence in the country erupts into civil war they must decide whether to stay or leave. Remarkably shot, acted & directed this is a powerful, tense film where a look can often say a thousand words. It is exceptional & almost perfect.